It's one of the most common statements we hear when a young adult first contacts the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit organization that provides life-saving services to at-risk LGBTQ youth ages 13 to 24. In fact, about 80 percent of HMI youth are homeless or lack secure housing, most often because of family rejection for identifying as LGBTQ.

Most of the kids that the Hetrick-Martin Institute served were kids of color. We black, Puerto Rican, Asian, Indian and biracial kids were finding a way out of no way, creating impromptu families because our real families hated us or no longer claimed us as their own.

The Hetrick-Martin Institute provides programs for at-risk LGBT youth. On Nov. 13 the organization will be holding the Emery Awards 2013, honoring Chelsea Clinton and others. My exclusive video explains how you can get involved.

The Darnell "Dynasty" Young case is just one example of LGBT students and their parents feeling the need to find a solution to bullying when a solution is not being offered by public school administrations. Situations like Darnell's are not uncommon.